DIY chain becomes first UK retailer to offer nationally recognised Home Improvement Qualification.
The new B&Q qualification, has been accredited by leading awarding body City & Guilds, who also worked closely with the retailer on the development of the award.

Launched yesterday, the Home Improvement Qualification aims to put businesses' in-house training schemes on a par with other academic qualifications.

Employees gaining the award will be able to use it towards further academic qualifications, such as vocational diplomas or even a degree.

Gill Lewis at B&Q said: "This home improvement award will benefit both new employees, who will get access to top quality training, and our more experienced staff, whose knowledge will be rewarded with a nationally recognised qualification."

B&Q is currently piloting the new qualification. By the end of 2009, the retailer aims to train 5,000 employees, which represent an eight of its entire UK workforce.

The award can be obtained by following one of four 'specialised' routes; decorating, gardening, building and room solutions. The first element to launch will be decorating and employees must pass four units aimed at their product knowledge and selling skills to achieve the qualification.